Can the Original License Plate Be Retained During Vehicle Transfer?

[Robles]

For second-hand car transfers, the original license plate can be retained, but the plate itself cannot be transferred. The latest regulations on license plate retention: The original license plate can be retained if the vehicle has been used for at least one year, with a retention period of up to one year; the original plate can also be retained in cases of vehicle transfer, cancellation, or relocation; applications for retention can be made whether purchasing a second-hand car or a new car; all traffic violation records of the original vehicle must be settled before retention. The process for retaining the original license plate is as follows: The vehicle owner needs to prepare the "Motor Vehicle Transfer or Registration Application Form," the owner's ID card and a copy (non-local residents must also bring a residence permit), proof of the vehicle's origin, the vehicle's purchase tax payment or tax exemption certificate, the vehicle's annual inspection certificate, and relevant documents submitted during the vehicle's initial registration (for imported vehicles, additional documents such as the import certificate, the vehicle's complete factory qualification certificate, and the compulsory insurance certificate are required). The owner can then proceed to the relevant DMV window to complete the process of retaining the original license plate.